Tottenham Hotspur will travel to Old Trafford this Sunday to face Manchester United, looking to extend their winning streak to four games across all competitions.
Spurs have found their form after a rocky start to the season and will be eager to maintain momentum against a Manchester United side under growing pressure.
The Red Devils are coming off two consecutive draws, with manager Erik ten Hag needing a win to quell concerns over the team’s inconsistent performances.
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson has weighed in on the upcoming fixture, predicting an exciting, high-scoring encounter between the two sides.
Merson believes both teams will adopt an open style of play, which could result in plenty of goals.
He noted that Tottenham’s high defensive line might leave them vulnerable, while Manchester United’s defensive issues could present Spurs with plenty of scoring opportunities.
Merson also emphasised the significance of the match for both clubs. Manchester United, currently sitting 11th in the Premier League, desperately need a win to stay in touch with the top-four race.
Their recent struggles, including a disappointing Europa League draw against Twente, have raised concerns over their form.
Writing in his column for Sportskeeda, Merson opined:
“This is a huge game for both teams. Tottenham play a dangerously high line and Manchester United are not great at the back, so it’s a very open football match. I expect there will be loads of goals in this one too.
“Spurs have been alright this season. Against Arsenal, the quality of set-pieces were the only difference between them. But they should’ve beaten both Newcastle and Leicester, if they don’t win these types of games, it starts to look a bit Spursy!
“As things stand, there are not a lot of problems with them. But if they lose this game, they are the team with the fourth-best chance of finishing fourth.”
For Erik Ten Hag’s side, a loss would significantly dent them who currently sit on 11th, something Merson sees as crucial for a club of their stature. On the other hand, Tottenham have bounced back strongly and a win at Old Trafford would not only boost their top-four chances but also deal a severe blow to United’s ambitions.
Merson’s prediction for the match is a 2-2 draw, expecting it to be an action-packed, closely contested affair.